Australia ratifies Paris climate deal

Canberra : Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday said his country has ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change, and pledged firm commitment to the accord, media reported.

Turnbull said that when Australia makes a commitment to a global agreement, it follows it through and “that is exactly what we are doing”, Efe news agency reported.

Led by President Barack Obama, the US became one of the first countries to ratify the Paris deal for global climate action, but 45th President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to either walk out or renegotiate the pact.

“Almost a year from the Paris conference, it is clear the agreement was a watershed, a turning point and the adoption of a comprehensive strategy has galvanised the international community and spurred on global action,” said Turnbull.

The oceanic country’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg are set to join the UN climate talks next week in Marrakech (Morocco).

Meanwhile, the World Wildlife Fund welcomed the Australian ratification in a statement, but added that Canberra can do more to reduce pollution.

Over 100 countries, accounting for 70 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions and 75 per cent of world GDP, signed the Paris Agreement in November 2015, pending ratification by their respective governments or parliament.